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“Well, it’s the truth.And how are you gonna catch a man with no boobs?”Mimi was sweet as sugar snap peas, but also had no filter when it came to what popped into her head.“Isn’t that right, Deck?”
“I think I’m gonna leave that question alone, Ms.Mimi.”
“Smart boy.”Mimi grinned.She had always had a soft spot for Decker.And so had Mama.
Mama hooked an arm through his and beamed up at him.“Why are you bringing my baby home, Deck?Don’t tell me she’s already gotten in trouble with the law?”Sweetie waited for Decker to tattle about the ticket, but, surprisingly, he didn’t.
“No trouble, Ms.Darla.She ran out of gas and I gave her a lift.”
“Out of gas?”Her mama shook her head.“Good grief, Sweetie.You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached.Well, I appreciate it, Deck, and would be happy to repay you with dinner anytime.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but no payment is necessary.How’s Mr.Holiday doing?”
“He’s much better.”Mama sighed.“Although keeping him calm and rested has been a full-time job.”
Mimi nodded.“My boy never could sit still.Thankfully, all our girls are coming home to help keep him entertained.”She shot a pointed look at Sweetie.“Although they should have been home a lot sooner.Then maybe this ranch wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in.”
Sweetie wanted to ask Mimi for details about that mess, but she refused to air their dirty laundry in front of Decker.It looked like he wanted no part of that either.
“Well, ladies.I’d best be going.”He pulled on his hat and tipped it.“Ms.Mimi.Ms.Darla.”Sweetie got no hat tip.“Sweetie.”When he turned and headed back to his sheriff’s car, it was hard not to notice the way his jeans fit his fine butt.
“That’s one fine-looking man,” Mimi voiced her thoughts as all three women watched the sheriff’s car pull away.“It’s too bad he’s not a wealthy rancher.It would be nice to have a third option.”
Confused by the comment, Sweetie started to ask what she meant when her mama climbed the steps of the porch and joined the conversation.
“I thought we were going to lose Decker like we’ve lost so many of our young folks—especially when his grandparents passed away and his aunt remarried and moved.But he turned out to be the type of man who knows where he belongs.He’s the best sheriff Wilder has ever had.”
Sweetie snorted.“From what I’ve seen, he’s got a bad attitude.”
“Can you blame him for being a little standoffish with you?You broke his cousin’s heart.”
“From what Hallie told me, Jace got over it pretty quickly,” Sweetie said.“He’s been thoroughly enjoying life as a Canadian football player—including dating plenty of beautiful models.”
Mimi shook her head.“No country boy wants a big-city model when they can have a sweet hometown girl.”
Sweetie rolled her eyes.“Don’t start, Mimi.I’m not getting back with Jace.”
“Did I say I wanted you to?I’m just saying that he’s not going to fall for some city girl.You mark my words.”Mimi lifted her eyebrows.“Just like you aren’t going to fall for some city boy.Your heart is country and only a country boy will know how to claim it.Now, I’m gonna let you two catch up while I check on the pies.”
When she was gone, Sweetie sighed.“I see she’s still holding out hope that I’ll settle down in Wilder.”
“You can’t blame her.She misses you girls something fierce.”
“I’ve missed her too.”She glanced around.“And the ranch.I didn’t realize how much until I got here.What’s going on, Mama?Where are all the cattle?”
“Your daddy has been trimming down the herd for a while.”
“It looks like he’s done more than trimming.I didn’t see one cow.What’s a cattle ranch without cattle?”
Mama hesitated.“Your father and I have decided to sell the ranch.”
If her mother had told her she was going to the moon, Sweetie wouldn’t have been any more surprised.“Sell the ranch?Are you kidding?”
Her mother sighed and sat down in a chair.For the first time, Sweetie noticed how tired she looked.Darla Holiday had never looked tired.No matter how much she did around the ranch, she had always looked vibrant and full of life.Now she looked drained.
“I know it’s hard to let go of this ranch, but selling only makes sense.Running a ranch this large is a lot of work, Sweetie.More than three aging people can deal with.I realized it before your father’s heart attack.It took a near brush with death for Hank to realize it too.Mimi is the only one holding out.Which is another reason I wanted you girls to come home.I’m hoping you can convince her that it’s time to sell.”
Sweetie sat down on the couch next to her mother.“But this land has been in the Holiday family for over a hundred years.It’s not just a ranch.It’s our heritage.Holidays are ranchers.They’ve always been ranchers.”
